diatu | March Event and Intro Log

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March Event and Intro Log

March Event and Intro Log

Golem On The Loose

Horrible Spell Doom?

The Bala-inlota Parade (aka The Non-Horrible Prompt)

To celebrate the start of the Bala-inlota season, Anastara spares no expense. The great parade and associated festival stretches the whole weekend, and the whole city puts on their colors and turns out for the fun. Enterprising vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs ranging from small and crude figurines to magical constructs that shine field displays onto flat surfaces so you can watch the action up-close! (Good luck affording that, students.) Practically any sort of entertainment you could want appears on the streets and canals of Anastara, and food and drink flow freely.

Research On the Sundered

Wonders Await

Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Have fun!

A Special Note

If you thread out one or more scenes based on the confusion from "Research on the Sundered", respond to the comment on this post with a link to that thread. The results of this will be revealed next month! (It is, we're afraid, not a regain, lest your participation be based solely on that hope!)

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The Bala-inlota Parade

In a sharp contrast to the festivities, there's a grim-faced Aesir with her arms crossed tightly against her chest grousing about how juvenile this all is. There was something familiar about it though.... this parade and merriment reminded her of many of the festivals that would have been celebrated in her own world, some of which would span all the realms like the harvest festival, or some that were more localized like the coming of the new year which different countries observed at various times during the year.

As a vendor tried to shove a figurine in her face, her lips twisted into a frown as she waved him off. Then she proceeded onward, catching sight of the food stalls almost lamenting the fact that there wasn't a certain blond-haired valkyrie frequenting them and stuffing her face.

What good was going to a celebration by yourself...?

Research on the Sundered

Even though Hel was vehemently against experimentations on either herself or the other sundered she was making it a point to be present in the waiting area when the bulk of the research was being undertaken. Whether it was out of some vain hope that she might be able to help mitigate the damage the guinea pigs endured or whether she was here to try and glean knowledge about their situation from the practices herself it was hard to say.

When some of the students leaving the examination rooms started talking a bit deliriously about their homes it piqued her interest. Apparently, today's experiment was a little less random than before. They were actively trying to establish a link to the other worlds...?

Still, dubious- but growing incresingly more desperate to return home she debated going against her better judgement. With a feeling of apprehension mixed with resentment for the examiners she finally conceded and went into one of the rooms. "I hope you know- that if any harm befalls me, I will seek you out as soon as I am able and it won't be a pleasant experience for you." She warned them. After the spell the scenes around her became contorted and difficult to decipher. The visions were so strong that she thought for a while she really had returned.

Unfortunately for everyone else, she was reliving the moments before she had begun her journey to halt Ragnarok, when she believed the humans to have caused chaos in her kingdom. So whenever she saw a human now, with her ire reignited she set upon them to attack. "Hellfire blaze!" Hel shouted motioning to the nearest student. On a positive note, she was still trying to use her powers from home, so nothing was really happening other than the spread of further confusion. "You humans have really got some nerve thinking you can destroy Helheim.... I won't forgive you."

Wildcard
I am open to suggestions!

Edited 2019-03-12 18:43 (UTC)

If Yotsuyu needed any evidence as to why she didn't want to volunteer for such research, it was before her now, gesticulating wildly and sending students scattering in fear--maybe not for their lives, but they clearly did not want to be assaulted by this young woman who--

Well, Yotsuyu wasn't certain what was happening, here. But she was certainly willing to make the attempt to understand, though as she drew her fan from her sleeve, she snapped it open--making it unlikely that it would be magic brought to bear against this individual.

"I beg your pardon," she began in a droll tone. "But I have no idea what you mean by 'human'. I am Hyur, if you must know. And I've never heard of Helheim, so you will, I hope, forgive me if I do not understand why these others were attempting to destroy it."

She fluttered her fan before her briefly, hoping to catch the girl's eye and confuse her briefly, though she planned to use words as her weapons. And hopefully defuse the situation by bringing this young one to her senses.

It would also serve as a lesson to Hel if she ever considered the option in the future, once she realized what a scene she'd made. Those examiners had better hope that she would not make good on her threat.

The snapping of the fan got her to focus her attention on this individual which allowed many of the others to make their escapes. It was no matter, she would catch up to them soon enough. It would be easier if she flew after them but for some reason she was earthbound. It must have been a side effect of the exposure to the poison.

"Sounds like a variant pronunciation to me," Not letting the raven-haired woman off that easily. Apparently guilt by association was a thing. "You feign ignorance of the land of the dead just to save your own skin..." Crinkling her nose in disgust.

Hel tensed at the motion, expecting a retaliation she didn't receive. "I would pity you if I didn't despise your kind."

"No land of the dead I know, sadly, no. I of all people should know it, I was at peace before I arrived here!!" Yotsuyu laughed at that. She normally didn't let it out that she'd been dead on Hydaelyn, but right now...well, anything to snap this girl out of it. And she didn't recall being in one of the seven Hells, so she had been at whatever peace someone like her could have.

"If this is intended to save my skin, my dear, this is the most minor of things I have ever done in my life to do so. No. You are under the effects of a spell, and making an absolute fool of yourself. We are on the grounds of Diatu Magicademy. Do you recall anything?!"

Mostly, she's using the grace she learned as a courtesan to dodge the girl's attacks, since in truth, it would not be right to harm her when she wasn't in her right mind.

"I have been despised by many in my time, girl, I promise you. You are merely the latest in a long line. Come now. Certainly this will gall you later, when you remember what you have done." If Yotsuyu herself were performing such ridiculous acts, it certainly would gall her.

The concept of someone being deceased and never having passed into her realm was troubling to Hel. "There could be any number of reasons why your spirit had not been allowed to find it's way to where it belonged." It meant something bigger could have been behind this. She didn't think a human would be capable of enslaving an army of undead. Sure, there might be a stray necromancer here or there in Midgard but this would take a vast amount of power to maintain. "I will ensure that it does not happen again.." Said will Hel tried in vain to fling another series of spells at the woman.

With a pout settling on her features, Hel had to accept that she might have to resort to more physical attacks which was not her forte. At least her magical failings combined with the strangers words settled her for the moment. If there was a larger entity controlling everything then the humans transgressions against her might not be their fault. "It sounds as if you are a resourceful sort of person..." Hel commented offhandedly. "So what do you know about poisons?" A question it was best to tread lightly on. "The only academy I attended was Odin's. Why should an Aesir require further education than that?"

If any of her attacks had landed, it likely wouldn't have been impressive anyway. Hel was dependent on magic and she hadn't yet remembered that she could wield a different variety of magic here.

"I may be the latest, but I will also be the last!" Hel really should have stopped issuing threats but her concern for her people was fueling her ire. Her body shuddered, as she reached up to grasp the side of her head. The visions were dissipating a little, but it was all still a jumbled mess.

It really didn't matter to Yotsuyu about the land the girl was referencing. She had been dead. Now she was not, and while she didn't understand it, she wasn't even certain it meant anything, now. That was the past, and the present was far more important!

The next question did startle her a bit, however. "Poisons? Well...a courtesan has her tricks!" Not that she had any poisons now; nor was Yotsuyu inclined to brew any, unless it was under the direction of her Alchemy instructor. She snapped her fan closed, briefly, before spreading it to flutter again. She was better at ranged fighting, but even if she'd had her pistol, in this case, she would not want to be using it, not against another student. "You are not there now. This is not your world, or mine. Do you not recall? You were brought here somehow, as was I, and a number of others, to this world. To this island, and this school. We are all students due to the magic burning within us--that will destroy us if we do not learn to control it!"

Yotsuyu isn't exactly young, nor is she used to a great deal of physical exertion, so as the altercation went on, she was taking a few blows--nothing serious, but bruises she will feel later. A hot bath might be in order! Despite being hit, she doesn't return the blows, being as gentle as she can with redirecting this girl's attacks with her fan--for all it's covered with silk, the vanes are metal, and she doesn't want to leave the girl with any injuries if she can help it.

At the way she lifted her hand to her head, Yotsuyu stepped back, giving her some space to breathe. "I am only trying to make you realize what is going on here," she said, tone softening. "You are a student at Diatu Magicademy, as am I. I am not sure what drove you to attack, but whatever it is--is not here. And I do not truly wish to harm you, I was only protecting the children." She hopes the soothing tone and her words will finally break through, but only time will tell...

The noncommittal answer seemed to be all the evidence Hel needed to proceed. Imagine, running into someone who likely had knowledge of poisons and could have been the one responsible for poisoning the rivers in Helheim so soon. She wouldn't kill her- not at first. What she needed most was the antidote. That wouldn't stop her from getting in some strikes in the meantime to weaken her opponent. Hel would get her to talk, no matter what, she needed to purify the water and rescue her people. People who had already lived their lives and deserved a peaceful afterlife. Of all the deplorable things to do, targeting the dead. There would be no forgiveness for it. Hel preferred a position more in the middle, someone with a higher defense in front to guard her while she dealt out heavier blows from her magic, and someone at the aft to fire off their own ranged attacks. It was more balanced that way for a team. A team? What need would she have for anyone else's help when she was capable on her own? "It is your belief that we all spontaneously passed through a portal to this land?" What nonsense. "Destroy us...?"

More visions flashed before her eyes but she wasn't sure exactly where they were coming from. Asgard was in flames, and Midgard was almost completely obliterated. Ragnarok. It could only be. Hel shook her head. "You're trying to confuse me." Worst of all it seemed to be working.

The fanwork is impressive, and Hel might have attested to as much if the circumstances were different. It took great skill to turn a seemingly ordinary object into a useful deflection tool. Right now, she would have rather knocked it from those slim fingers so it would no longer be a distraction.

When she was forced to stop the woman's words muddled around in her mind. Parts of them were familiar, and others were foreign. Trying to recall the last few moments she saw flashes of the researchers, the waving of wands, and then there was a random image of Nidhogg slap in the middle of everything. "No......"

"No, no no....." She repeated shaking her head. "It wasn't the humans...." Fighting the urge to drop to her knees, she was able to see the academy with clarity. "What have I been..." Then she focused on the other girl, with her defensive stance. Had there been a fight? "I know that." To the portion about being a student at Diatu. "What exactly were you protecting them from?" It was evident that she was only catching bits and pieces but Hel was trying not to show herself to be anymore vulnerable than she already had.

Edited 2019-03-13 19:03 (UTC)

"No, my dear. I was only trying to make you see." Since she seems to be regaining her senses, Yotsuyu snaps her fan shut and secrets it in the sleeve of her robe, her defensive stance turning to one of concern. It wasn't confusion she was trying to foment, but clarity. Nor did she mean to sound patronizing, but she didn't know the girl's name. So she was still trying to be soothing.

The call for clarity seems to have worked, however. "I am not certain what happened to you, but you were attacking all and sundry in the halls, here, until I stepped in. Are you all right?"

Because no one else was there but the two of them, now. At least no one had run off to call a teacher to break it up--though if anyone had, Yotsuyu would have firmly defended this girl in saying that she hadn't been in her proper senses, and perhaps a story would come out.

"I would like to know where you were before this--I doubt anyone takes leave of their senses willingly, but you were...not yourself."

She isn't much of a diplomat, truthfully, but she is trying. Nor did Yotsuyu think that this girl was the type to randomly brawl in the halls--certainly they would have been warned of someone like that, having been there for a month.

The pigtailed girl was still reeling from the random visions that had flashed before her eyes. The sight of all those cities in flames was a reminder of what she was trying to prevent, and why it was imperative to return home. It had been that need that had placed her in this uncomfortable situation now, and she was going to have to be more careful in future. Apparently her first assessment of this research had been the correct one. It wasn't for her. "......................................." Now, what was a graceful way to respond without admitting what they both knew to be true.

Hel almost said that it had only been a test of the sundered's abilities to see if they were ready to defend themselves if need be but that would have been a blatant lie, and a lame one at that. Also, it reminded her of something Odin had pulled in the past that had irritated her to no end. "It's ..... it was that new sundering spell, they're testing out today." She finally found herself admitting. More and more she was beginning to see that this arcane magic that had been forbidden for so long, still should be. They were meddling with forces they had no business with. ".... I've only injured my dignity." Flipping one of her pigtails over her shoulder.

"Was anyone else hurt?" Though she had stated she was fine, it was possible she would have a bruise or two of her own later.

"All this? I was in one of the research rooms or if you mean in my own world, I was on a quest." Not to save just Helheim but all the realms. "It doesn't matter since I'm still here..." It's just as well, diplomats could be too stuffy for Hel's liking. Sometimes you just needed someone to be straight with you. "I was reliving another time when I attacked others without true provocation." Not sounding proud of herself.

"Ugh, that," Yotsuyu's disdain was evident in her voice as the girl admitted to undertaking the Sundering research. "At least it was only your dignity injured, the Twelve know what else might have happened with that ridiculousness. I know they need to research it to send us home, but they are not careful enough!"

She entirely understood why Garlemald eschewed magic the way it did. Magic was nothing but trouble, and the only reason she herself was bothering to learn it was the threat of destruction if she didn't...

...though having power never hurt, either.

"No, and you did no lasting harm to me, either. I also did my best not to leave you any lasting hurt. I felt that you were not intending to--do that." Tactful again. She frowned slightly. Quests? Those were something she at least understood, somewhat. No wonder the girl had been so troubled.

"You cannot be blamed for that--and I would only lay slight blame on the Sundering researchers. You had no idea how you might be affected. Or perhaps afflicted is a better word. I doubt they had much more of an idea, themselves." Though that last part was a mutter. "It would be different, likely, had you intended harm to anyone, but you did not. So do not beat yourself up over it, it does not do you any good."

Gods, if Yotsuyu couldn't identify with that...

"Do you need to be at class soon? You could come with me, we could get some tea, and you could...compose yourself, if not." Again, not trying to be patronizing, but honestly, if alcohol were served on campus, Yotsuyu would consider getting herself a stiff drink, right about now.

At least. The words rang loud in her ears. From Hel's perspective making a fool of herself was one of her paramount concerns. There really wasn't anything she could say to amend the statement since the reverse would have meant incurring both physical harm and the hit to her pride. She should have never trusted these fools and their spells. It's not a mistake she would be making again. "When they implied that they might have found something I had a lapse in judgement."

Hel did not have an issue with magic overall- well... her own magic. This world's magic was apparently untamed and chaotic. It's own people had no mastery over the various versions. It was a wonder they could even keep the definitions of them straight.

"It's lucky for you that I am without my Aesir abilities or that would not have been the case." Normally Hel possessed a plethora of deadly spells at her command and when she was angry enough like she had been in that moment she had been reliving she would have used them. "...... I appreciate your efforts." Said a bit more softly as if showing gratitude was not something she was altogether used to or liked doling out. Still, you have to give credit where it was due.

"They're idiots. I'm surprised they even know the difference between a wand and a scepter." Not trying to mask her displeasure with the researchers. It was nice of this woman to try and mitigate the blame, but Hel still placed much of it on herself. The first month she'd known not to get involved, and she got careless. That much she could surely be held responsible for. "It's over... or it will be soon, and I will move on from there." Taking a stronger stance out loud because she didn't really wish to keep showing off her weaknesses.

"I am composed," Hel replied a little too swiftly to be believed. Then looking aside. ".... but I would like some tea." That way she could gain some companionship while things were still a little off, without admitting she wanted any. "Later, I shall seek out the ones responsible and give them what they deserve..." The last part was said more to herself.

"Lapse in judgement? Hardly. It is clear that you desire to return home; and if you have a quest to take up again, there, it is no surprise." Just because she herself did not want to go home did not meant that everyone felt the same as Yotsuyu. "You had hope. That is not a flaw or a failure."

She inclined her head in agreement. "Likely, that is so. I had no special abilities where I was from, so you would indeed have an advantage over me." Well, unless she had been able to call upon Tsukuyomi again, but Yotsuyu did not believe that such power would have stayed with her. She only bowed slightly to Hel's next words. Respectfully. She certainly knew how difficult it was to thank a person. Those words did not come easily to her, either. So she appreciated them.

"They are learning. This magic has been forbidden for years, here. It is not so easy to call things back once they have been laid to rest. I am positive they are not attempting to discomfit anyone. They are trying to live up to their promises." Not that Yotsuyu had much patience with their foibles, either, but she could afford to be magnanimous, since she wasn't the one who had been so afflicted.

"Well, come with me, then. We shall have tea, and perhaps some sweets. The cafeteria is nearest. Perhaps we can find an area that is secluded, so we may have some privacy." With that, Yotsuyu started off, slowly, so Hel could keep up.

Hel refrained from saying and look where that hope got me, since Yotsuyu was making such an effort to raise her spirits. It would have seemed like too much like a slap in the face to her kind intentions. "I did, and still do desire to return. As queen of Helheim I should not be trapped here when it could be facing destruction."

Nodding to that, it only further cemented the notion that these tests could become detrimental to innocent people and that something must be done to curb that. It was also nice running into a kindred spirit on that score. Yotsuyu knew how to accept gratitude with grace, and without lording it over someone's head. More people could learn from her mastery of this seemingly simple etiquette.

"........" She let her flat expression do the talking for her. Hel clearly didn't want to hear someone speaking up on the researchers behalf, at least not right at this moment. "So far they've only succeeded in stirring my ire." That likely did make all the difference. Had Hel stuck to her earlier decision not to submit to their tests then perhaps she would be giving someone a similar speech. Or..... she would be joining in on the nay-saying with some other victim ~~which was more likely~~.

"You're not one of those people who think things can be smoothed over with food are you?" To an extent they could, but it was a tactic better served- literally -to Skuld. "I suppose we will see what's available." This was one of those rare occasions when a treat sounded agreeable to her. Hel proceeded to walk after her, since at this point she hadn't perfected the ability to hover here. Soon she would because this walking stuff was for the humans. It was far too plodding, and slow for her liking.

Edited 2019-04-11 06:15 (UTC)

"Between you and I, there is nothing to smooth over, is there? But after such exertions, a bit of refreshment would not go amiss, I think." Because both Hel and Yotsuyu had had a bit of an inadvertent workout, there, whether they had intended to or not. She did not think Hel had done anything precisely wrong; nor had Hel been in her proper mindset. Had that been the case, it was likely that nothing at all would have happened.

On Yotsuyu's part, it was less bolstering the researchers, and simply speaking the truth. Though Yotsuyu was no student of magic on Hydaelyn, she at least knew of hidden magics that had taken decades of careful study to return to public consumption. But that might be discussed better over tea, if nothing else.

"Do not think that just because I am defending their methods, that I would willingly submit myself to such research. I am not particularly in a hurry to go home...despite understanding such reasoning for others. Then again, I admit I feel some small guilt for not doing so. You have an excellent reason for wishing to return; have others not the same?"

"Hey!"

Jecht, on the other hand, was totally into this. Decked out in team colors and carrying a Bala-inlota ball that who the heck knew where he'd gotten it from, the older guy was all grins and boyish enthusiasm. So seeing someone looking like she'd had an extra bowl of Grump Flakes this morning...

"What's with the sour look?"

Hel looked over at the man, crinkling her nose at the sight of him. It was obvious to any casual observer that he was fully invested in this sport and everything that went along with it. As a queen, Hel wasn't sure why you would wish to run around getting needlessly sweaty. Not that she didn't work hard in her own training but that was for a greater purpose, that was for saving all the realms in her world.

"I don't understand what all the fanfare is for..."

"It's sports! That's the point, to have a good time and cheer your team on!" Jecht dropped into place next to her, jerking a thumb at the crowd around. "You really need to question having fun?"

A beat passed before she said," Yes." It was as if that was the only answer that was available and everyone should know it beforehand.

"Also- I don't have a team that I support." There was always the school's team but she had no real connection to either the school nor the sports team. "This seems like a lot of wasted energy, for very little."

Something of Jecht's energy seemed to slip away, as he straightened up to look at the girl more directly. "Enjoying life isn't ever a waste."

You closeted softy! A sweet desire that was fulfilled when that certain blonde haired Valkyrie swooped out of the sky to snugly grab Hel's arm and shove a dead eyed bunny plushie won from one of the shooting games under her nose. Never try to beat a Valkyrie at archery, even a rigged game was no match!

"Isn't this nice! All the colors and..."

She breathed deeply, scenting something wonderfully sweet in the air.

"Ah! We have to find that. It smells wonderful! You are hungry aren't you? Even you couldn't turn down some freshly fried doughnuts?"

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March Event and Intro Log

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Research on the Sundered

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Bala-inlota Parade

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The Bala-inlota Parade